Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will deal with a number of issues that have been raised. On amendment No. 10, I understand from Deputy Ó Broin's contribution that he will withdraw this amendment. I thank him for his understanding in that regard. We are actively working on that and I intend to come back on that within a short period of time. I think the Deputy understands why I cannot expand too much on that at this stage. I acknowledge that and we all want to get to the position where that issue is resolved. It is resolvable, work is ongoing and we will do that.

I refer to the issue Deputy O'Callaghan finished on and which others spoke about. It is in relation to the restriction of the upfront payment to two months' rent. I think we all agree that this is a good thing and that it needs to happen. It will be one month's rent upfront with the deposit.

The issue relating specifically to students evolved from engagement we had within the sector. If soft pressure is being put on someone, it is an opt-out measure. First, the protections apply to everyone. One would have to opt out of the two-month payment if there was a good reason for this. I take on board the point made by Deputy Ó Broin. We will look at this further in the context that it should not be exploited. If someone were to exploit it and apply soft pressure, that would be illegal on the passing of this Bill. Fundamentally, that would be illegal. One area I will look at and commit to doing so in the autumn is about specifically a complaint being made if one did not enter into a tenancy because a landlord sought more than legally entitled to. That is our intention to make sure this actually happens and that the RTB will field those complaints. We will work on that issue.

I refer to the public awareness campaign. My Department and I have been working with Threshold on the tenancy rights piece. We have been working with John-Mark McCafferty, and others, on that. We have had information campaigns throughout the course of this year, but I intend, when we have the rent reform Bill in the autumn, that we will have a full suite of protections and changes for renters.

Any measures we take have to be proportionate and people understand that. We could have a situation where we may bring in changes that might seem like a good idea or, and I do not mean this in an offensive way, a populist idea or which may garner immediate popular support. We must be careful that we do not tip the balance in relation to supply. We have had many debates and will have further debates on rent, accommodation, cost rental and social housing provision. It is the intention of this Government to increase housing supply substantially - public housing on public land, cost rental, affordable purchase - and we are doing that. We will have our first cost rental tenancies this year.

We will not be waiting for next year and we need to scale that up further.

I understand Deputy Ó Broin is withdrawing amendment No. 10. In relation to the other areas, I cannot accept No. 12. It is an opt-out. The provision aims to help any student who may wish to manage his or her finances in a different way. The Deputy is right that much of that relates to international students coming to Ireland, sometimes because of the way packages are sold, but it is for them to be able to manage those payments. That request has come from the sector. The Deputy has the right to move the amendment, which I respect, but we will keep it under close watch. There should be no exploitation of this or soft pressure. It allows an opt-out should a person decide to avail of it. I take the point made by Members.

I assure Deputy Boyd Barrett that other measures and protections will come forward in the autumn. There are people whose incomes have been affected - to get to Deputy Ó Broin's point - who may have reduced income and find it more difficult to pay the rent. I am always at pains to tell people to access the emergency rent supplements that are there. Not as many people as one would think have accessed them and it is a simplified process for those who are or are not working to help them make their payments. We have not yet seen a substantial increase in rent arrears and that is because of the State supports that have been agreed by this Oireachtas and were put forward by the Government.

The fundamental part of this Bill is to make sure we extend protections further for those who need it most. I encourage people to look towards the self-declaration. It is with the RTB, which I have encouraged to engage in a public information campaign along with Threshold about what this is so people can access it. They should access it if they feel they meet the criteria.

We have covered the other elements in great detail already so, respectfully, I will not accept any of the amendments in this grouping.

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